Location: Atrium (2nd floor)
What is the Solutions Showcase?
The showcase is an expo of informal mini presentations highlighting successful efforts to address workplace problems or issues. These solution-focused presentations are casual, interactive, and brief, and tell a story of impactful projects, effective practices, research findings, or technical solutions. As attendees visit individual presenters’ tables in this informal setting, speakers can share their work on a one-to-one basis.
Lessons Learned from Implementing Inclusive Hiring Practices
Amy Ort, Instructional Designer, Center for Transformative Technology
Beverly Russell, Associate Director, Center for Transformative Technology
Brian Wilson, Sen. Instructional Designer, Center for Transformative Technology
Jeff Kosse, Instructional Designer, Center for Transformative Technology
The university’s strategic plan asks units to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented staff. In response to this, in spring of 2021, the Center for Transformative Teaching began a full review of all aspects of our hiring process to ensure we follow best practices for equity and inclusivity at all stages. Throughout, we worked closely with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which has recently released guidance in the form of this Bridge training document [https://diversity.unl.edu/bridge-breakthrough-recruitment-inclusive-diversity-growth-and-excellence].
In this session, we will explain the process that we went through and the lessons we learned to help other units that may be interested in making similar changes. Specifically, we will talk about actions taken such as revising our job description, examining historical data for hiring trends, recruitment and advertisement, interview questions and hiring process, and developing a new search charge document for the hiring committee. We will talk about the successes and challenges we had in instituting the new procedures for the searches that have been conducted since we started working on this project as well as how we plan to continue reviewing the procedures over time.
In addition to hearing about our experience, we will make some of our materials available to participants. This will include the checklist of steps we developed, our original vs updated job description, and new search charge. We will also ensure there is ample time for Q&A at the end of the session.
Sustainability at UNL
Morgan Hartman, Sustainability Coordinator, FM&P Waste Management & Recycling
Through casual conversation and information sharing, attendees will learn about opportunities to engage in sustainability initiatives at UNL. Presenters from UNL’s Office of Sustainability (OS) will provide an overview of recent sustainability accomplishments and accolades, current efforts, and future priorities. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with OS staff to learn about how they can personally integrate sustainability behaviors into their campus life, helping to develop them as a person, professional, and member of the UNL community. Specific material shared will include the Sustainability on Wheels program, UNL’s recent submission to and rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) program, and an overview of the 2020 UNL Environment, Sustainability, and Resilience Masterplan.
Building Community Through Positive Post
College of Business Positive Post Committee Members
Positive Postcards encourage messages of recognition in a light-hearted, branded format. Each month, a themed event around a quirky holiday or creative idea generates a fun environment for individuals to write posts and sustain a culture of inclusion. The promotional events build community within the college and serve as reminders and inspiration for expressing gratitude. We’ve learned that building a culture of recognition needs to be intentional and authentic. Being recognized for the good work we do makes us more productive, positive, and increases our engagement in the community.
Additional Showcase Participants:
- Staff Senate Exploratory Committee: https://www.unl.edu/chancellor/staff-senate-exploratory-committee
- Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women: https://ccsw.unl.edu/
- Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender and Sexual Identities: https://ccsgsi.unl.edu/
- University of Nebraska Office Professionals Association (UNOPA): https://unopa.unl.edu/
- University Association for Administrative Development (UAAD): https://uaad.unl.edu/
- Multicultural Professionals Network: https://diversity.unl.edu/multicultural-professionals-network-mpn
- Campus Recreation: https://crec.unl.edu/
- Your Employee Assistance Program Benefits: https://hr.unl.edu/eap/
- Environmental Health and Safety: https://ehs.unl.edu/
- The Scarlet Hotel: https://www.scarlethotelnebraska.com/
- Travel Services: https://nebraska.edu/travel
- Dining Services: https://dining.unl.edu/
- Nebraska Alumni Association: https://www.huskeralum.org/